CUPRA KIRO confirmed that Development Driver Bianca Bustamante would take part in the FIA Formula E World Championship’s upcoming Rookie Test in Madrid, Spain. The Filipina driver continued to strengthen her ties with the team after joining the programme during the 2024–25 season.
Bustamante first experienced Formula E machinery with CUPRA KIRO at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit in Berlin last year. The outing formed part of the team’s efforts to support her development while she competed in the GB3 Championship.
The 21-year-old returned to the Formula E paddock later in the year for the all-women’s test in Valencia. Alongside maintaining her role with CUPRA KIRO, the two-time F1 Academy race winner prepared for a step-up in 2026, when she was set to compete in the main Eurocup-3 series.
O’Hagan praises Bustamante’s progress ahead of Madrid Rookie Test
CUPRA KIRO Team Principal Russell O’Hagan welcomed Bustamante’s return to the cockpit, highlighting the strong impression she had made since joining the team as Development Driver during Season 11. He praised the Filipina for her professionalism and maturity, as well as the contribution she had made to the team’s development programme and her role in promoting greater female participation in motorsport.
The Rookie Test in Madrid would mark another step in her Formula E journey, giving Bustamante further valuable mileage with the team as she continued to build experience. O’Hagan also underlined the importance of the test for CUPRA KIRO’s wider preparations, adding that the team planned to make full use of the opportunity while also preparing to announce the remaining driver in its test line-up in the near future.
“We’re really looking forward to having Bianca back in the car this weekend. Since joining CUPRA KIRO as our Development Driver in Season 11, Bianca has impressed us enormously, not only with her professionalism and maturity, but in the role she’s played in our development and in actively promoting female participation in motorsport more broadly. We’re very excited to give Bianca her next taste of Formula E in Madrid and can’t wait to see her build upon her current progress. This upcoming test is an important opportunity for us as a team, and we’re very eager to maximise it. I’m looking forward to revealing the second half of our driver lineup very soon.”
Bustamante eyes another step forward with CUPRA KIRO
Bustamante described the upcoming outing as another valuable opportunity to continue expanding her Formula E experience. After first driving the CUPRA KIRO car in Berlin and later returning for the Valencia test, she viewed the Madrid Rookie Test as a chance to keep building on the progress she had already made with the team.
The Filipina emphasised the importance of maximising every opportunity at this stage of her career. She also highlighted the work carried out behind the scenes in preparation for the test, noting that the Madrid outing would provide a further milestone in her development as she continued to support the team.
“I’m very excited to continue building my experience in Formula E. After first getting behind the wheel of the CUPRA KIRO in Berlin, my most recent test in Valencia was a really positive step forward, so to be back in the car again so soon is a fantastic opportunity to keep learning, to push myself, and to apply everything I’ve been working on behind the scenes. At this stage of my career, every opportunity is incredibly valuable, and I’m proud to be supporting the team. Madrid is another important milestone for me, and I’m ready to make the most of it.”
